Meghan Markle’s Feeling of Being Displaced in a “Depressing” Royal Residence Post-Marriage

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s choice to reside in Nottingham Cottage
rather than Kensington Palace initially left the Duchess of Sussex with a sense
of being “shunted off” from the main royal residence.

According to author Tom Quinn, Meghan may have been initially drawn to the
romantic allure of the royal family. However, as she and Prince Harry settled
into married life, living in the modest Nottingham Cottage within the
Kensington Palace grounds seemed less appealing to her. This two-bedroom
cottage, often referred to as ‘Nott Cott,’ served as their first marital home.

Mr. Quinn shared his perspective on the ‘Pod Save The Queen’ podcast,
suggesting that Meghan may not have been entirely pleased with their initial
residence. He remarked, “I think that actually, she wasn’t too keen on that.
It seemed like they were being shunted off to a little prefab in the grounds.”

Prince Harry had been living in Nottingham Cottage since 2013, and Meghan
joined him shortly before their engagement. However, authors Carolyn Durand
and Omid Scobie, in their book ‘Finding Freedom,’ countered Mr. Quinn’s
claims. They noted that Meghan felt content in the property and was thrilled
to share an address with her partner after months of a long-distance
relationship. They emphasized that she had moved to London not for a job but
to start a new life.

Nonetheless, the Sussexes didn’t stay in Nottingham Cottage for long and later
relocated to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, reportedly seeking a respite from
the pressures of London life. Mr. Quinn asserted that even this move wasn’t
entirely satisfactory for Meghan, as she supposedly realized it felt remote
and isolated, akin to living in the Russian Steppe.

The couple has since settled in a lavish mansion in California, where they now
reside with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after
stepping back from their roles within the royal family in 2020.